Washington (CNN) - A group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents filed suit Thursday against new policy directives on removing illegal immigrants.

The plaintiffs say obeying new administration priorities on what types of illegal immigrants should get priority for deportation could place agents in violation of federal law.

The agents filed suit in Dallas against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Director John Morton.

The suit cites recent policy decisions to allow young people brought to the U.S. before the age of 16 who meet certain criteria to apply for a two-year relief period in which they couldn't be deported. The complaint also objects to the policy of prosecutorial discretion in which ICE agents are supposed to focus their attention on dangerous criminals who are illegal immigrants.

In a nutshell, the agents - one of whom is the president of the ICE Agents and Officers Union - do not want to obey the new policies and do not want to face any disciplinary actions or lawsuits if they continue to arrest any type of immigrant who is in the United States illegally.

soundoff(No Responses)

About In America

What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.